Relative mate value, irrational beliefs, and romantic jealousy

Abstract

The relationships between relative mate value, irrational beliefs, and romantic jealousy were examined. Three main questions were addressed: (1) does relative mate value affect the amount of romantic jealousy experienced for people in romantic relationships? (2) is there a relationship between irrational beliefs and romantic jealousy? and (3) do irrational beliefs act as a moderator variable in the relationship between relative mate value and romantic jealousy? Fifty-three women and 37 men completed a relative mate value questionnaire, the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale, and the General Attitude and Belief Scale. Relative mate value was manipulated by having participants imagine they were dating a partner either lower, equal, or higher than their own mate value. It was found that romantic jealousy was highly correlated with irrational beliefs, but had no significant relationship with relative mate value. Irrational beliefs did not act as a moderator variable in the relationship between relative mate value and romantic jealousy. The results suggest that individual differences in beliefs may play a larger role in romantic jealousy than does relative mate value.